Puzzle game



May 31, 1966 J. JOSLYN PUZZLE GAME Filed March 12, 1965 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,253,828 PUZZLE GAME John Joslyn, New York, N.Y., assignor of sixty-six and two-thirds percent to The Luchland Company, Newfoundland, N.J., a partnership Filed Mar. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 264,643 Claims. ((11. 273-153) This invention relates in general to a puzzle game, and more specifically to a puzzle game which can only be solved by a predetermined sequence of moves.

An object of this invention is to provide a puzzle game that is both amusing and challenging.

Another object is to provide a puzzle game that is relatively difiicult to solve, yet fascinating enough to maintain ones interest until the solution thereof has been discovered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game puzzle which can be worked out in full view of a person unfamiliar with the puzzle, and still be rendered puzzling to that person until he learns the precise solution thereto.

Still another object is to provide a game puzzle that is relatively simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to produce and one which is positive in operation.

In accordance with this invention the above objects are attained by a game structure comprising a first means and a second means in which one of the means is rotatably journaled relative to the other means. One of the means is provided with a plurality of station points at which a token means is to be placed one at a time and the other means contains three reference points to be used for random-1y indicating the station in which a token means is to be placed, one of which reference points is common to the other two. The three reference points on the second means are angularly disposed with respect to one another, and they are specifically located so that when the conmon reference point is rotated to a position opposite one of the stations on the first means, the other two reference points of the second means will be located opposite two opposed stations. The game structure is further arranged in a specific manner to facilitate stowing or storing the same when not in use so that the respective component parts thereof are not easily lost or misplaced.

The object of the game is to place a token means one at a time at each of the station points on the first member in a successive series of moves of the second means. Each move of the second means must be made so that the common reference point is located opposite an empty station before a token means may be placed at the unoccupied station opposite either the other two reference points. After the token means has been so located the second means is rotated again to reposition the common reference point opposite another empty station. A second token means is then placed at one of the stations opposite one of the other two reference points which is unoccupied. The moves are repeated until each of the stations has been occupied with a token means. When a token means has been placed at each of the stations, the puzzle is solved.

A feature of this invention resides in a provision that the solution to the puzzle is not readily determined by a mere observation of the game device.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision that the puzzle solution is not readily ascertainable even after a number of tries have been attempted.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision that there is a logical solution to the puzzle which is relatively simple, and that once it is understood can be retained for a considerable length of time.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the specific construction of the respective game components which facilitates the stowing and storing of the same after play therewith has been completed.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail shown partly in section of a specific token means in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the game device in which the tokens are stowed in an inoperative position thereon, and

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 55 of FIG.

4 illustrating the manner in which the respective coneshaped token means are disposed in stowed inoperative position.

Referring to the drawings the game structure 10 comprises a first means 11 and a second means 12 which are rotatably journaled relative to one another. The first means 11 comprises a cylindrical base portion 13 which has connected thereto a disc or wheel shaped top 14. As best seen in FIG. 2 the outer periphery of the disc top 14 extends laterally of the cylindrical base portion 13. Thus, it will be readily apparent that the cylindrical base portion 13 defines the supporting means for the disc shaped top 14. Circumferentially spaced adjacent the outer periphery of the disc shape top 14 are a series of stations 15. In the illustrated embodiment it will be noted that ten equidistantly spaced stations 15 are provided. While the respective stations 15 may be identified or marked on the disc top 14 in any desired manner, in the illustrated embodiment, each station 15 is defined by a circular recessed area. Spaced radially inwardly of each of the respective stations is another set of ten equidistantly spaced recessed areas 16, which are substantially equal in size to those of the station recesses 15.

As it will be hereinafter described the inner row of recessed areas 16 are utilized to stow the token means 17 of the game after play therewith has been completed so that all the component pieces of the game can be maintained together. In this manner accidental loss or misplacement thereof is minimized. Located centrally of the disc top 14 is an aperture or hole 18.

In accordance with this invention the second member or means 12 is a spinner which comprises a spin plate or hub 19 and a spindle 20 which extends axially therethrough. As shown, the portion 20A of the spindle 20 extending below the spin plate hub 19 is adapted to be loosely received in the hole 18 in the disc top 14. If desired, an angular shoulder or boss 21 circumscribes the lower portion 20A of the spindle 20 adjacent the undersurface of the spin plate 19. Accordingly the undersurface of the spin plate 19 is spaced above the surface of the wheel top 14 so that the spin plate or hub 19 can be freely rotated relative to the disc or wheel top 14 by the portion 20B of the spindle 20 extending above the spin plate 19 with a minimum of friction.

The hub or spin plate 19 is provided with three reference points which are angularly disposed about its periphery. As shown, the reference points are symbol ized by two arrows 23, 24 which originate at a common point 25 which defines one of the reference points along the periphery of the spin plate 19. The shafts 23A, 24A of the respective arrows diverge outwardly to oppose portions along the periphery of the spinner so that the respective arrow heads 26, 27 at the end thereof define the other two reference points.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer periphery of the spin plate 19 or hub is spaced radially inwardly of the respective stations 15 so that each of the respective stations 15 are disposed just beyond the periphery of the spin lplate.

For reasons to be hereinafter described the spin plate 19 is provided with a row of holes 30 oircumferentially spaced about the periphery thereof. Holes 30 are arranged to be disposed in coaxial alignment with the recesses 16 when alignment between the spin plate 19 and the disc top 14 is had.. It is to be noted that the holes 30 of the spinner 19 have a diameter which is smaller than that of the recessed are-a 16 as defined in the second row of the disc top 14.

In FIG. 3 the respective token means 17 which are adapted to be placed at each station 15 when in play, are illustrated as consisting of a conical member or spokes which have a laterally extending flange 17A circumscribing the base portion thereof. Ten such token pieces 17 are required to play the game, one for each of the ten stations 15 indicated on the disc top 14.

In accordance with this invention the object of the puzzle game is to place the tokens 17 one at a time at each of the station points 15 on the disc 14 in accordance with the following rules.

With all the stations 15 empty, the spinner 19 is rotated by turning on the upper portion 20B of the spindle 20 so that the common reference point 25 thereon is positioned opposite any of the unoccupied stations 15 on the disc top 14. The arrangement is such that when the common reference point 25 is located opposite an empty station 15 the other two reference points 26, 27 indicated by the respective arrowheads are located opposite two opposed stations 15 spaced about the periphery of the disc. At this point a player has the option of placing one of the tokens 17 at either one of the unoccupied stations 15 opposite the arrowhead reference points 26, 27. The rule requires that he must place the token 1'7 at only one station at a time. When one of the tokens has been so placed, the spinner 19 is again rotated in either direction, as desired by the player, so that the common reference point 25 is again located opposite any one of the other empty stations 15. Following the previous procedure, a second token 17 is placed at one of the stations opposite either of the respective arrowhead reference points 26, 27. This procedure is repeated until all ten tokens 17 have been placed in respective stations along the disc 14. That is, nine spokes are placed at stations at the outer rim on each turn of the hub in the manner described. When the ninth token has been placed, the tenth and last token is then placed in the last one of the unoccupied stations which is disposed opposite the common reference point 25. When this has been done the puzzle has been solved.

To stow the respective tokens 17 after play has been completed so that they may not become inadvertently separated or lost, the spinner 19 is removed and each of the tokens 17 are placed in the recessed areas 16 normally located beneath the spin plate 19. With the tokens 17 positioned therein, the spinner 19 is replaced so that the respective tokens 17 may project upwardly through holes 30 therein, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, it will be apparent that the spinner 19 will maintain the respective tokens 17 fixed in place between the disc top 14 and the spinner plate 19, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The game can be placed in storage until its further use is required with all of the game components intact. In this manner, it can be noted that the respective components of the game cannot be readily lost or inadvertently separated one from the other. Consequently the game can he remained intact for a considerable period of time.

While the respective tokens have been indicated in the illustrated embodiment as conical members, it will be appreciated that the specific shape of the token 17, insofar as the playing of the game'is concerned, can take any desired form. However, the conical shape of the token is of particular advantage when stowing of the game is required as herein described. Also, the conical pieces 17 facilitate the handling of the same.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the game device is relatively simple in construction and is easily played inasmuch as the rules of the game are relatively simple. The game can be played either as a solitaire or with other players taking turns.

The entire game can be made of molded plastic components which are both durable and attractive. The game is interesting and challenging and will maintain ones interest for a considerable period of time.

The arrangement of the game and the playing of the same is such that the time required to solve the puzzle is determined solely by the individual ability of a player to logically deduce the solution. The obstacle to the solution of the puzzle is that unless the tokens 17 are properly placed in predetermined pattern, the player after a few moves is unable to comply with the rule of locating the arrowheads opposite an entry station when the common reference point is so located.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to a particular'embodiment thereof, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A puzzle game (21) comprising a means in the form of a disc having a first row of ten equidistantly spaced recessed stations disposed adjacent the outer periphery thereof and a second row of recessed areas spaced radially inwardly of each of said stations,

(b) said disc having a central aperture,

(c) a second disc, 4

(d) a spindle connected to said second disc,

(e) said spindle being connected axially and normal to said second disc,

(f) said spindle being received in the aperture of said first disc for rendering said second disc rotatably journaled to said first disc in coaxial relationship thereto, and said second disc having its outer periphery disposed radially inwardly of said row of stations, said second disc having a row of holes corresponding to the second row of recessed areas of said first disc,

(g) a reference means located on the surface of said second disc,

(h) said reference means including a pair of arcuately shapedarrows having common tail portions, and uniformly diverging head portions,

(i) said reference means being arranged so that the diverging head portions point to two angularly spaced stations on said first disc when the common tail portion thereof is located opposite a third station,

(j) and conically shaped tokens, each of. which is adapted to be located in a station opposite one of said arrow heads on each turn of the second disc, said recessed areas and stations being dimensioned to receive said tokens,

(k) and said holes in said second disc being larger than the tops of said conical tokens and smaller than the bases thereof, said holes serving for securing said tokens in said recessed areas in the stowed position of said game.

2. A puzzle game comprising (a) a first member having a cylindrical base and a circular stationary disc connected to said base,

(b) said circular disc having formed thereon a first row of ten equidistantly spaced recesses disposed adjacent the outer periphery thereof, and

(c) a second row of ten equidistantly spaced recesses spaced radially inwardly of said first row of recesses, and a hole formed at the center thereof,

(d) aspinner,

(e) said spinner having a spindle extending axially to either side thereof,

(f) said spindle being received in the central hole of said disc for rotatably journaling said spinner to said stationary disc,

('g) said spinner having a row of ten holes equidistantly spaced about the periphery of said spinner whereby the holes in said spinner may be placed in coaxial alignment with said second row of recesses formed in said stationary disc, the holes in said spinner having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the recesses aligned therewith,

(h) said spinner having marked thereon a pair of in- \dicating arrows originating at a common point on the periphery of said spinner vwith the respective heads thereof diverging to two angularly spaced points on said periphery, said spaced points being disposed on either side of said common point,

(i) and a series of ten comically shaped tokens having a basewhich can be readily received in the recesses formed in said stationary disc whereby said tokens are sequentially located in the recesses of said first row as indicated by one of said indicating arrows when the common point thereof is located opposite a recess not containing a token upon successive rotations of the spinner during the playing of the game, and said tokens when located in the second row of recesses are stowed in inoperative position therein with said tokens extending through the holes of said spinner in that said holes are larger than the tops of said tokens and smaller than the bases thereof.

3. A puzzle game comprising a first member having an outer surface which has a circumferential peripheral edge portion, a second member rotatably overlying said surface and having an outer surface having a peripheral circumferential edge, said edge lying radially inwardly of the edge portion of said surface of the first member, said first and second members being relatively rotatable about an axis disposed substantially centrally of said surfaces, said edge portion of the outer surface of the first member having a series of stations spaced equally apart in circumferentially spaced fashion, each station being radial of the axis of rotation, said surface of the second member having thnee reference 'points, each reference point lying radially of the axis of rotation, and said reference points being angularly spaced apart about the circumference of the edge, relative to said axis, so that when one point is radially aligned with a selected station, the other points are in radial alignment with other stations, and a plurality Olf pieces adapted to be located at the stations, said pieces being equal in number to the number of stations and being placed one at a time on an unoccupied station in alignment with one of the reference points only when another of said reference points is opposite a station that has not been previously filled by a piece (in the consecutive rotative movements of said members.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said members are separable, and stowing means for stowing said pieces between said members when the puzzle game is not in use is provided.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein. said stowing means includes the formation of recesses in the surface of the first member under the second member, said recesses being arranged in a cincular spaced arrangement, said second member having openings arranged in a circular fashion with the openings coincideable with the recesses, said openings being of a smaller cross-sectional area then the recesses and the pieces having enlarged bases adapted to seat in the recesses and having smaller body portions adapted to extend through the openings with the base portions being of a greater cross-sectional area than the openings.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,370,682 3/1921 Buys 273142 1,522,306 1/1925 Lewis 273-137 X 1,595,285 8/1926 Bevan 273-136 1,811,960 6/1931 Orr 273-142 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,815 1901 Great Britain.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

A. O. OECHSLE, Assistant Examiner. 

3. A PUZZLE GAME COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER HAVING AN OUTER SURFACE WHICH HAS A CIRCUMFERENTIAL PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTION, A SECOND MEMBER ROTATBLY OVERLYING SAID SURFACE AND HAVING AN OUTER SURFACE HAVING A PERIPHERAL CIRCUMFERENTIALL EDGE, SAID EDGE LYING RADIALLY INWARDLY OF THE EDGE PORTION OF SAID SURFACE OF THE FIRST MEMBER, SAID FIRST AND SECODN MEMBERS BEING RELATIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT AN AXIS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY CENTRALLY OF SAID SURFACES, AND EDGE PORTION OF THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE FIRST MEMBER HAVING A SERIES OF STATIONS SPACED EQUALLY APART IN CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED FASHION, EACH STATION LBEING RADIAL OF THE AXIS OF ROTATION, SAID SURFACE OF THE SECOND MEMBER HAVING THREE REFERENCE POINTS, EACH REFERENCE POINT LYING RADIALLY TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION, AND SAID REFERENCEE POINTS BEING ANGULARLY SPACED APART ABOUT THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE EDGE, RELATIVE TO SAID AXIS, SO THAT WHEN ONE POINT IS RADIALLY ALIGNED WITH A SELECTED STATION, THE OTHER POINTS ARE IN RADIAL ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER STATIONS, AND A PLURALITY OF PIECES ADAPTED TO BE LOCATED AT THE STATIONS, SAID PIECES BEING EQUAL IN NUMBER TO THE NUMBER OF STATIONS AND BEING PLACED ONE AT A TIME ON AN UNOCCUPIED STATION IN ALIGNMENT WITH ONE OF THE REFERENCE POINTS ONLY WHEN ANOTHER OF SAID REFERENCE POINTS IN OPPOSITE A STATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY FILLED BY A PIECE IN THE CONSECUTIVE ROTATIVE MOVEMENTS OF SAID MEMBERS. 